Need medical care but can’t afford it? No-one should have to forgo treatment because of the costs. Whilst medical care is becoming more expensive, new options are constantly becoming available that are making it easier to finance for. Here are just a few options for those struggling with the costs.

Take out a personal loan

Taking out a loan is an easy way managing large medical bills, paying them off over a longer period in smaller amounts. There are all kinds of places where you can go to find a lender. Peer-to-peer lending sites such as Lending Club are a good place to find low interest loans. Hiring a loan broker may also allow you to find a cheap loan. For a loan with no interest at all, it may even be beneficial to ask family or an employer – whilst many of us don’t like asking those around us for money, people may be more sympathetic when the cause is your health.

Use a credit card

It could be worth taking out a credit card simply so that you can pay off big unforeseen expenses like medical care. If you don’t think you can be trusted with a credit card, a specialist CareCredit card could be the answer. These can only be used on medical expenses. You may also be able to take out a short term financing option in which no interest is charged.

Consider using an advocate

If you’re on a low income or unemployment benefits, you may be eligible to use an advocate. Medical advocates specialise mainly in getting treatment for people that can’t offer consent themselves, however they also help to offer medical care to those less fortunate. By negotiating with medical centres and researching into different treatment methods, they may be able to find you an affordable solution.

In some cases, you may be eligible for a personal injury lawsuit. This could involve a car accident or a work related injury. In these cases you may be able to claim compensation with the help of a solicitor that could help you pay for treatment. In this case of paying off the loan or credit for someone who has died, there are also legal rights to explore. A wrongful death lawyer may be able to claim money for any fatal malpractice. Some lenders may be able to be negotiated with meanwhile in the case of an unpayable loan due to death, either knocking off the interest or allowing you to pay in smaller instalments over more time.

Take preventative action with medical insurance

The best way to prevent high medical bills is to take out insurance. Insurance schemes are now becoming more customisable, allowing you to lower your rates by only including certain types of treatment in your plan. You then have the option of deductibles, health FSAs and other financing methods that could help make medical costs more manageable.